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I'm sorry but the only organizations promoting the 1.5 mil number are FOX News and the tea partiers. Even a picture some tried to put out to support their claim was proven to be a fake due to the buildings shown in the photo.

False. I watched streaming video from news sites as the march happened live. Not to mention have spoken with people who were there and seen their videos and pictures.

Watching something on TV doesn't really give one the ability to accurately determine the number of people in attendance. Most of the news outlets reported "10's of thousands." Estimates of 60k were was based on an unofficial estimate given by the Fire Department, who later announced that they don't give official estimations, and said this was referring to the area around Freedom Square. There haven't been any official non-media and non-affiliated accounts of the size, which is why there is so much disagreement. FreedomWorks, the group that organized the event propagated the initial count of 1.5 million attendees, which quickly spread on conservative blogs who were no doubt outraged (as you seem to be) about the liberal media making their cause seemed smaller, and started showing photographic evidence of the size of the march, including some photographs of events that were from identifiable from the buildings as from before 2004. However, besides this, FreedomWorks, later recanted the 1.5 million estimate as wrong, reducing the number to 600-800k. So we will probably never have an agreed-upon estimate because the highly partisan nature of the marches and the lack of an official D.C. organization-originated estimate, but I hope you can be a little more polite in decreeing the "falsity" of other people rebutting your 1.5 million estimate, since even FreedomWorks agrees that the number was incorrect.

Okinawa prefectural police said Sunday they have begun examining a vehicle used by U.S. military personnel in connection with the death of a man in the village of Yomitan in a hit-and-run accident. The vehicle was brought to a garage close to the site where the man’s body was found. Police said hair was found on the broken windshield of the vehicle.

Police said they will conduct a DNA test to see whether the hair on the vehicle is that of the deceased. A passerby phoned police after finding the man’s body near a road about 1 kilometer from the Yomitan village office around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. The man was later identified by a relative as Masakazu Hokama, 66. An autopsy revealed that a broken upper spine contributed to his death, police said.

The protesters called for the immediate closure of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station located in a downtown residential area of Ginowan and urged Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to reject the transfer of the facility to a coastal zone in Nago, northern Okinawa, in his talks with Obama slated for Friday in Tokyo.

Demonstrators braved the heat to pack into an open-air theater in a seaside park in Ginowan, central Okinawa, and adopted a resolution stating, ‘‘The small island of Okinawa doesn’t need a base any more. We oppose the construction of a new facility in the Henoko (district of Nago) and (Futenma’s) relocation within Okinawa.’‘

They accused U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates of ‘‘intimidating’’ the Japanese government over the relocation issue when he pressed Japan last month to stick to a 2006 bilateral deal on the Futemma transfer and to resolve the matter before Obama’s arrival.

Quote:

The demonstrators also urged the Japanese government in the resolution ‘‘not to cave in to U.S. pressure and convey Okinawan people’s voices without hesitation to the United States in bilateral negotiations from ‘equal’ position.’‘

The rally brought together the heads of U.S. base-hosting local municipalities as well as Diet members elected from Okinawa who belong to the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and its coalition partners—the Social Democratic Party and the People’s New Party.

Quote:

Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, who took part in the rally, and other participants are scheduled to make an appeal to the defense and foreign ministries as well as the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo over the Futenma issue ahead of Obama’s arrival.

At the rally, Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha said the Futenma facility is ‘‘the most dangerous base in the world’’ and urged Hatoyama to tell Obama that Japan will not allow a new U.S. military facility to be constructed in Okinawa. In that way, the two countries can create ‘‘new future-oriented bilateral relations,’’ he said.

Zenshin Takamine, chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, said the burden on Okinawa residents of hosting bases ‘‘has exceeded a level acceptable’’ to the people. He also blasted Gates for ‘‘pressuring’’ Japan to abide by the 2006 accord, saying the U.S. defense secretary still regards Okinawa as a ‘‘U.S. colony.’‘

The vast majority of Americans never protest in their entire lives. Hell, most Americans don't even vote in all the elections they can.

I should qualify that. When I say everyone there I'm not referring to individuals but groups representing the various political viewpoints. You'll find people on the far right, the far left, and holding every view in between protesting for their cause. Sorry, I wasn't all that clear there.

The remains of a mighty Persian army said to have drowned in the sands of the western Egyptian desert 2,500 years ago might have been finally located, solving one of archaeology's biggest outstanding mysteries, according to Italian researchers.
Bronze weapons, a silver bracelet, an earring and hundreds of human bones found in the vast desolate wilderness of the Sahara desert have raised hopes of finally finding the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II. The 50,000 warriors were said to be buried by a cataclysmic sandstorm in 525 B.C.

I was surprised when I heard the shooter was a psychiatrist. I mean I'd think someone in that kind of profession would be more aware of his own mental state and get help before something like that happened. Then again, his position might explain things a bit too. Working with soldiers who just came back from a war zone, hearing what they went through, then being about to be deployed himself. Something like that is bound to be stressful. Not that it excuses his actions, but it might explain why. Mental health care workers do need mental health care themselves after all.

I'm not so sure it's a "mental health" case. The thing is, if it is a terrorist act of a single, we might never know why he did it. I mean, there's a set of rules for media concerning such cases, and some rules directly prohibit publishing any terrorists' statements, and particularly those that promote terrorists' cause (like, why they did it).

__________________

Oversized signature, meet underfed bunnies.Natsuru:
- This cake is great. But I don't think I could eat the rest of it by myself.Black Seppuku Bunny:
- Want us to help you?Harakiri Tiger:
- We'd be happy to take a piece.Natsuru:
- Can you even digest it with your guts hanging out like that?

U.S. intelligence agencies were aware months ago that Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan was attempting to make contact with people associated with al Qaeda, two American officials briefed on classified material in the case told ABC News.

Army knew suspected Fort Hood gunman had contact with al Qaeda recruiter. According to the officials, the Army was informed of Hasan's contact, but it is unclear what, if anything, the Army did in response.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said that he requested the CIA and other intelligence agencies brief the committee on what was known, if anything, about Hasan by the U.S. intelligence community, only to be refused.

In response, Hoekstra issued a document preservation request to four intelligence agencies. The letter, dated November 7th, was sent to directors Dennis Blair (DNI), Robert Mueller (FBI), Lt. Gen Keith Alexander (NSA) and Leon Panetta (CIA).

Hoekstra said he is "absolutely furious" that the house intel committee has been refused an intelligence briefing by the DNI or CIA on Hasan's attempt to reach out to al Qaeda, as first reported by ABC News.

"This is a law enforcement investigation, in which other agencies—not the CIA—have the lead," CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said in a response to ABC News. " Any suggestion that the CIA refused to brief Congress is incorrect."

Investigators want to know if Hasan maintained contact with a radical mosque leader from Virginia, Anwar al Awlaki, who now lives in Yemen and runs a web site that promotes jihad around the world against the U.S.

In a blog posting early Monday titled "Nidal Hassan Did the Right Thing," Awlaki calls Hasan a "hero" and a "man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people."

According to his site, Awlaki served as an imam in Denver, San Diego and Falls Church, Virginia.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that Major Hasan attended the Falls Church mosque when Awlaki was there.

The Telegraph of London reported that Awlaki had made contact with two of the 9/11 hijackers when he was in San Diego.

He denied any knowledge of the hijacking plot and was never charged with any crime. After an intensive investigation by the FBI , Awlaki moved to Yemen.

People who knew or worked with Hasan say he seemed to have gradually become more radical in his disapproval of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Sunday, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) called for an investigation into whether the Army missed signs as to whether Hasan was an Islamic extremist.

"If Hasan was showing signs, saying to people that he had become an Islamist extremist, the U.S. Army has to have a zero tolerance," Lieberman told Fox News Sunday.

Seriously if there is any racial backlash after this and that kind of genocide really happened, I would say that it is the Muslim extremists fault. The war certainly took a racist turn due to all the kind of stuff like this.

What the world actually needs is everyone to take a step back and THINK about their religious commitments before taking any violent action in the name of their religion. Things don't have to be so bloody.

Besides, I thought the US Army is willing to accept concientious objectors and their requests?

__________________

When three puppygirls named after pastries are on top of each other, it is called Eclair a'la menthe et Biscotti aux fraises avec beaucoup de Ricotta sur le dessus.
Most of all, you have to be disciplined and you have to save, even if you hate our current financial system. Because if you don't save, then you're guaranteed to end up with nothing.

Seriously if there is any racial backlash after this and that kind of genocide really happened, I would say that it is the Muslim extremists fault.

Violence over violence. Do you really believe in this sort of justification?

Vengeance is no justice. The fault lies over those who choose violence: which, in this fantasy situation, means not only the blind extremists but the blind fictional retaliators as well.....especially when its indiscriminate killing.

"The Indian side disregarded the solemn position of China in allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the disputed area of the eastern section of the China-India border region," Qin told a regular news briefing.

"China expresses strong dissatisfaction about that."

With ties between the two Asian giants strained by a flare-up over their shared boundary, Beijing has sought to keep its irritation over the visit -- which it asked Delhi several times to halt -- from inflaming broader diplomatic tensions.

Beijing last week targeted the Dalai Lama instead, saying he was trying to poison the neighbours' relationship. On Tuesday, Qin again accused him of trying to undermine China.

"China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed area of the eastern section of the China-India border region. The visit by the Dalai Lama to this disputed area has exposed his anti-China nature and his attempt is doomed to failure," he said.

On November 25, 2001, 92 people (including 18 women and 7 children) were killed by bombing in Kandahar. On the same day, 70 people were killed when cluster bombs were dropped in the Kunduz area, as well as scattered deaths in Adha village and Takhta-Pal.

February 2003 - At least 17 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in coalition bombing raids in a mountainous region Helmand province.

December 6. 2003 - According to both villagers and the U.S. military, 9 children - 7 boys and 2 girls from the ages of 9 to 12 - and a 25-year-old man were killed when two U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II planes targeted the village of Hutala with rockets and guns. Mullah Wazir, the intended target, was not at home at the time. U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stated the next day that Wazir was killed in the attack, but retracted the statement shortly after. Names and ages of the children killed: Habibullah, 11; Obaidullah, 10; Faizullah, 9; Ismail Jan, 11; Nabi Jan, 9; Habibullah, 12; Aminullah, 9; Bibi Toara, 10; and Bibi Tamama, 9.

January 18, 2004 - 11 civilians - 4 children and 7 adults - were killed by a U.S. air strike on a house in the village of Saghatho.

March 5, 2007 Nine civilians, including five women and two to three children are killed when their home was destroyed by two 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs in the Nijrab district, in the Kapisa province, north of Kabul. The troops were responding to an attack that hit a Nato provincial reconstruction team.

May 9, 2007 - Between 21 and 38 civilians, including women and children are killed by a US Air Raid in the village of Soro, in the Sangin district of Helmand Province. Five homes were bombed after US Special Forces came under attack, an attack which cost the life of one US serviceman.

June 18, 2007 - Seven children are killed in a US Air Strike directed at a compound in Zarghun Shah, in the Paktika province. Initially the US claimed they did not know that children were in the compounds but some U.S. officials confirmed that U.S. forces were indeed aware of the children's presence but military officials told NBC News that Abu Laith al Libi, an al-Qaida leader, was considered such a high-value target it was worth the risk that some children might become casualties of the attack.

March 12, 2008 - The British government says its troops were responsible for an airstrike that killed two women and two children around Helmand. At least 10 others were injured.

July 27, 2008 - Canadian troops opened fire on a vehicle that came too close to a Canadian convoy in Kandahar. A two-year-old girl and her four-year-old brother were killed and the father of the two children was wounded.

August 21, 2008 - The Afghan Interior Ministry reported that U.S. coalition bombs had killed up to 95 (up from 76) civilians, including 60 children, in an airstrike on Azizabad, a village in the Shindand district of Herat province

September 1, 2008 - A man and his two young children are killed in a night raid on his home in Kabul. His wife is injured.

Oversized signature, meet underfed bunnies.Natsuru:
- This cake is great. But I don't think I could eat the rest of it by myself.Black Seppuku Bunny:
- Want us to help you?Harakiri Tiger:
- We'd be happy to take a piece.Natsuru:
- Can you even digest it with your guts hanging out like that?

Well... THAT certainly took long enough (over 2 years). Damn, the public very nearly had to throw him into the police station for them to collar him.

From the news, Ichihashi worked in Osaka prefecture for a year or so for a construction company, and generally kept a low profile - wearing a beard, a baseball cap and glasses as well as keeping to himself. He apparently didn't stand out much, which as a guy on the run, is a good thing; there are lots of loners out there. If he didn't go for a nose reconstruction in Oct and was recognize afterward - with an updated photo(!) - the man might have gotten away for even longer.

__________________

"If ignorance is bliss, then why aren't more people happy?" -- Misc.

Currently listening: Nadda
Currently reading: Procrastination for the win!
Currently playing: "Quest of D", "Border Break" and "Gundam Senjou no Kizuna".
Waiting for: "Shining Force Cross"!

On November 25, 2001, 92 people (including 18 women and 7 children) were killed by bombing in Kandahar. On the same day, 70 people were killed when cluster bombs were dropped in the Kunduz area, as well as scattered deaths in Adha village and Takhta-Pal.

February 2003 - At least 17 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in coalition bombing raids in a mountainous region Helmand province.

December 6. 2003 - According to both villagers and the U.S. military, 9 children - 7 boys and 2 girls from the ages of 9 to 12 - and a 25-year-old man were killed when two U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II planes targeted the village of Hutala with rockets and guns. Mullah Wazir, the intended target, was not at home at the time. U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stated the next day that Wazir was killed in the attack, but retracted the statement shortly after. Names and ages of the children killed: Habibullah, 11; Obaidullah, 10; Faizullah, 9; Ismail Jan, 11; Nabi Jan, 9; Habibullah, 12; Aminullah, 9; Bibi Toara, 10; and Bibi Tamama, 9.

January 18, 2004 - 11 civilians - 4 children and 7 adults - were killed by a U.S. air strike on a house in the village of Saghatho.

March 5, 2007 Nine civilians, including five women and two to three children are killed when their home was destroyed by two 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs in the Nijrab district, in the Kapisa province, north of Kabul. The troops were responding to an attack that hit a Nato provincial reconstruction team.

May 9, 2007 - Between 21 and 38 civilians, including women and children are killed by a US Air Raid in the village of Soro, in the Sangin district of Helmand Province. Five homes were bombed after US Special Forces came under attack, an attack which cost the life of one US serviceman.

June 18, 2007 - Seven children are killed in a US Air Strike directed at a compound in Zarghun Shah, in the Paktika province. Initially the US claimed they did not know that children were in the compounds but some U.S. officials confirmed that U.S. forces were indeed aware of the children's presence but military officials told NBC News that Abu Laith al Libi, an al-Qaida leader, was considered such a high-value target it was worth the risk that some children might become casualties of the attack.

March 12, 2008 - The British government says its troops were responsible for an airstrike that killed two women and two children around Helmand. At least 10 others were injured.

July 27, 2008 - Canadian troops opened fire on a vehicle that came too close to a Canadian convoy in Kandahar. A two-year-old girl and her four-year-old brother were killed and the father of the two children was wounded.

August 21, 2008 - The Afghan Interior Ministry reported that U.S. coalition bombs had killed up to 95 (up from 76) civilians, including 60 children, in an airstrike on Azizabad, a village in the Shindand district of Herat province

September 1, 2008 - A man and his two young children are killed in a night raid on his home in Kabul. His wife is injured.

Eh read the third line of my post. I present the best solution to the problem doesn't mean I believe in it getting done.

From a pragmatic point of view, it actually will work. Idealistically, it is wholly wrong.

__________________

When three puppygirls named after pastries are on top of each other, it is called Eclair a'la menthe et Biscotti aux fraises avec beaucoup de Ricotta sur le dessus.
Most of all, you have to be disciplined and you have to save, even if you hate our current financial system. Because if you don't save, then you're guaranteed to end up with nothing.

Well, the image posted in the link with Jon Stewart showing the "fake" video in the background does have the word "earlier" shown. No one is saying exactly how much earlier the video actually was when it was taken!

A rebuttal is supposed to be coming anyway, so that should be interesting.

On the plus side, you get to read about speeches like the ones Lloyd Blankfein (CEO Goldman Sachs) had given recently. Like the one where he is crediting higher pay to higher productivity or the one where his company is doing "God's work". The last one has been making the rounds of new jokes over the past couple of days.

__________________

"If ignorance is bliss, then why aren't more people happy?" -- Misc.

Currently listening: Nadda
Currently reading: Procrastination for the win!
Currently playing: "Quest of D", "Border Break" and "Gundam Senjou no Kizuna".
Waiting for: "Shining Force Cross"!

The vast majority of Americans never protest in their entire lives. Hell, most Americans don't even vote in all the elections they can.

True but while the vast majority don't actively demonstrate, many will still support certain certain sides of hot issues by petition, letter/email writing (to citizens and politicians), small donations, and they will definitely vote if they perceive whatever is being proposed will affect them in some way or have a moral stance on the issue, for better or worse.

Trust me, if there's a state proposition on the ballot to increase state taxes by 50%, you'll see a huge turnout